From Chopin to Yiruma: Teaching the Music You Love to Play
This performance of “River Flows in You” bridges the lyrical simplicity of modern piano music with the depth of classical tradition.
This performance of “River Flows in You” bridges the lyrical simplicity of modern piano music with the depth of classical tradition.
Chopin’s Grande Polonaise Brillante from the Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise Brillante, Op. 22 is a spectacular work showcasing both Chopin’s compositional genius and the virtuosic demands he placed on pianists.
Sometimes the smallest packages contain the most delightful surprises. I first discovered Scarlatti’s Sonata in F Major, K. 6 through a Horowitz recording where he performed it as an encore.
I’ll be sharing more of my piano repertoire online, and before I do, I want to be transparent about the approach I’m taking and why it matters.
Every professional musician was once a beginner. The only difference between them and you is that they started. Your time is now.
I recently came across a quote from pianist Palavia Mahidhare that stopped me in my tracks: “Fast practicing gives slow results, and slow practicing gives fast results.” She practices 80 percent of her repertoire slowly, and I couldn’t agree more. When you practice slowly, you’re being intentional with every note, every finger movement, every musical phrase. You’re programming your muscle memory accurately from the start. When you finally do play at tempo, your fingers know exactly where they’re going because you’ve trained them carefully and deliberately.
We had a wonderful piano recital at Regal Palms at the Palms A Largo this past weekend. The students did a great job performing their pieces, and everyone enjoyed the performances.
Franz Liszt’s “Un Sospiro” (A Sigh) is the third of his Trois études de concert, composed around 1848.
If you’re taking piano lessons or considering starting, there’s something magical happening right now that you need to see: the Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland. I’ve been watching this year’s competition, and honestly—wow.
Every pianist, beginner or seasoned, eventually wonders how much they should practice.It is tempting to believe that progress comes from long, heroic sessions, but short, consistent practice almost always wins.